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Wonderful moisturiser.

Kiehl's isn't a brand I've ever considered using before until my friend told me about it, and that's because I never actually heard of it. My friend kept emphasising how good they are, so I did a little research and saw they do this Ultra Facial Moisturiser. I immediately found it very appealing because a good facial moisturiser is what I've been looking for quite a while. I have quite dry skin on the bridge of my nose and a little on my forehead, I've tried countless products and so many of them only work for a couple of hours, if at all.

When purchasing the product the first thing I noticed was the price, my eyes bulged and I thought to myself, it better be worth it! For a 125ml bottle it costs £24 and when it comes to facial products I'm always one who would rather pay that little bit extra for a good product that works than a cheaper product that isn't as effective. The packaging of the product is quite plain and simple, the bottle itself is white with a label giving a brief description, directions and list of ingredients.

There is two ways to open the bottle you can either unscrew the top or flip the cap which has a little hole on the top allowing you to squeeze the bottle which will squirt the moisturiser out. The first thing I did was unscrew the top to see what it smells like. there isn't any fragrant scent to it, just a subtle smell of cream which I assume is just the ingredients. The moisturiser itself isn't a creamy thick texture but it isn't extremely runny either. I would describe the consistency to be a little on the thin and runny side but with a good balanced flow.

When applying, I simply dabbed the tip of my index finger into the moisturiser and rubbed it into my dry needed areas. A little bit is all that is needed because it seems to spread in the skins surface very well, I think if you apply too much in one area then it may feel a little oily so it is best to just do a bit at a time. Once applied I didn't feel any greasiness or discomfort, sometimes after apply moisturiser to the bridge of my nose it begins to tingle but this doesn't give me any uncomfortable sensations.

Admittedly after using the moisturiser for the first time my skin did not feel incredibly super duper silky soft, it might be an ultra moisturiser but I'm not expecting miracles over night. Especially since that area on my face can be quite, crusty. However, within a week I noticed a difference in the appearance of my skin, it felt and looked a lot more hydrated and softer. I maintained applying the moisturiser once a day and now my skin has no dry patches and feels a lot more smoother.

The product for me lasts quite a while. One bottle takes about 3 to 4 months to fully use as I'm only using a couple of dabs once a day, every day. Due to the great performance of the product and how long it lasts, I definitely think it is worth the money. The bottle states "for all skin types" I do think those with dry skin would find this very beneficial. I usually purchase mine from Space.NK.

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expensive but worth it

I recived two sachets of this as a free sample, one of which I gave to my sister and have now regretted!.

I have awkward skin, it's combination, full of clogged pores and generally never quite right so finding a moisturiser that will moisturise effectively without drying my skin out and without clogging my pores up even more is an ever present challenge.

I managed to make my one free sachet last about a week, so a little goes a long way which is just as well considering the price, and was rather dissapointed to return to my regular moisturiser afterwards (but I know what I will be replacing it with). This moisturises well and the moisture lasts, my skin was left soft, suple and most importantly; non greasy! I didn't notice any more blocked pores than usual which was another bonus. My skin also looked good, which as a minimal make up wearer was fabulous!

To conclude this does everything a basic moisturiser should do and it does it well, it is however on the expensive side though seeing as my free sample lasted me a good few days you only need a little so a full sized bottle should last a good while.

It also contains SPF 13.

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Lasts forever (and so will your skin!)

THE BASICS:

Coming in Kiehl's typically medicinial packaging (I'm a bit suspicious about this, since while it has created a 'brand' it's rather unattractive and presumably cheap - but more on this later) this moisturisers provides gentle everyday moisturising for the cash-rich.

ECO CREDENTIALS:

Whilst on the subject of the packaging, I AM a fan of Kiehl's frequent offers where if you take a set number of their empty packaging back (usually 5/6) you get money off future purchases. This, I like, since it not only incentivises the consumer but is environmentally friendly.

PRICES:

£35/ 250ml; £23.50/ 125ml; £20/ 75ml (tinted); £25.50/ 75ml (SPF 15) - expensive for an everyday moisturiser but my large bottle is still going strong (in mid November) from last April and will probably last until it's expiry. This is, perhaps an issue (and a reason to buy a smaller bottle despite it being proportionately more expensive) as if you do adhere strictly to the expiry date then you're likely to end up with 1/4 of a bottle left, despite it's use twice a day. So the message is: the large bottle is probably only good where there are several of you using it in a household. (Only a 5p sized blob is necessary for each application)

CLAIMS and FUNCTIONALITY:

Back to the subject of the 'medicinal' branding. Two aspects of this are particularly good - the lack of fragrance and the presence of emollients (which are found in wash-products for people with various skin conditions) derived from olives means that it's perfect for she (or he!) with sensitive skin (particularly normal/dry skin). Most other moisturisers sting a little on my skin when applied - but this is perfect.

Grand claims about its use by mountaineers are largely irrelevant to the standard punter (although it does seem to protect the skin on cold days) - what's important is that it absorbs easily, and provides a great base for foundations

INGREDIENTS:

Along with the squalane - the emollient derived from olives described earlier - oils from avocados, apricot kernels and almonds are among the active ingredients, providing moisturising properties and vitamins A and E. Panthenol, a derivative of vitamin B5 facilitates it's absorption as well as encouraging the growth of new skin cells.

SAMPLES:

Generally when buying a full-sized product Kiehls will offer you a sample or two. As well as being a nice treat, this is testament to the quality of the products - reeling you in to buy more! - particularly necessary given their lack of advertising / word of mouth policy.

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Probably better for men

A few reviews back I wrote about Kiehls lip balm which I received as a freebie on a flight (BA Long Haul for anyone who is interested). Well a 30ml bottle of the Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturiser was also included, so I thought for the sake of completeness I would write a little review on that product also.

Now Kiehls make some rather grand claims about this little moisturiser - they proudly boast that this product was used by a team who climbed Everest, that its unique formula is easily absorbed and lightweight and provides protection from the sun's harmful rays. I would have thought that if you were climbing Everest, packing your facial moisturiser would not have been a priority, but what do I know?

The moisturiser is very different to one I would normally choose for myself as when it comes out of the bottle it is a very liquid lotion. I usually use a nice thick cream, so I was a bit put off from the start.

However, given that it was a freebie it would be rude not to use it, and sure enough it does make my skin feel hydrated after use. However, unlike a cream it does not leave it feeling lovely and soft after use.

It is however completely fragrance free and my husband absolutely loves it, so perhaps it is more designed for men rather than women.

I won't be buying this again, but given that it was a freebie I have no complaints. If you know any men about to climb Everest, then it may be of use to them, but otherwise, I wouldn't bother.

(PS - for any Everest climbers who want to buy some, £25.50 for 125ml bottle from Kiehls website).

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Easy moisturiser to use for both night and day

I am rather late in reviewing this product - the number 1 best seller from Kiehl's: and this means this cream has been tested by millions around the globe and proven, doesn't it?

Said to contain rare ingredients from the glaciers and deserts, this Ultra Facial Cream is a moisturising cream that boasts the lasting time of whopping 24 hours. Unlike other moisturising creams that use mineral oil, this facial cream differentiates itself by using top quality olive and avocado oil based formula. Its effect is said to have been proven in the first ever expedition to Greenland through 2 weeks worth of extreme cold (I did say "globe" didn't I?).

This cream has the shelf life of 12 months, and given its volume of 50ml, you probably won't be needing other moisturising creams while you are using this one. Mind you, this may "look" like cream, but actually does contain quite a bit of oily components so those who are reluctant to add more oil to already oily face should use in small quantities.

The texture of this cream is very soft, somehow reminiscent of other cream type cleansers. It does not have any fragrance as far as I can tell. This cream absorbs easily if not immediately. Gentle rubbing is always greatly appreciated. Given its long lasting time, the cream does not leave the skin feeling heavy, although due to its oil content, also does not leave the skin refreshing light. I have yet to actually try out whether the moisture from this cream lasts for 24 hours since I have never gone through 24 hours without washing but it sure feels as though the moisture locks in and lasts.

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If I get the money, I will buy this again.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial cream.

Well, according to the listing, this cream is supposed to have an SPF of 13 - my pot says nothing about any SPF so I cannot vouch for that.

What my pot does say is that the product is made to be a 24 hour everyday hydrating cream with extracts of Glacial Glycoproteins and Desert Plants. Further to that description, on the back of the pot, is mentioned a 2005 expedition to Greenland's ice covered peaks. (Named the "Greenland First Ascent").

Kiehl's are a funny brand: they do not advertise, they go via word of mouth. So if you hear of them in a magazine or Newspaper, it's a genuine article, they have not paid to be included.I was delighted to see a stand alone concession in House of Frasier Westfield. Having seen them in Space NK which itself is a lovely shop, the prices tend to scare me from going in, what if I get to a point where I have to clearly point out I have no money to spend? It sort of feels different in House of Frasier where there's a much wider range of prices and almost everyone is included.

I had heard about the Ultra Facial cream from others, both online on skin care forums to magazines, to trying a swab myself in a store on the back of my hand. It all seemed to check out fine and I did buy a pot myself to use at night.I bought this cream as it is very mild, very light and easy to apply. I used to slap on night-moisturiser every night, but my skin threw a fit and chucked it all back at me in the way of blocked pores and the occasional random spot. (Random as the spots were happening about one once a week, rarely on my T-zone, they were on a check, the right side of my chin, the left of my left eye....random!)

The cream is not cheap! £22.50 bought me 50mls. If I wanted 25mls I could have paid £15 and a larger 100ml pot was around £35. I only had enough for 50mls.The team at Kiehl's are similar to those at Lush, they have a sink and are happy to give samples with purchase and also run through the products with you. They take what they do seriously and are more then willing to give skin care advice.

I applied the cream- scentless, white and in a cute pot, at night after washing my face. It is I have to say, unlike any other facial cream I have tried myself. It's a dense cream, not gloopy, not thin in appearance; it holds its shape well -this could well be the said desert plants which are in side, and had been chosen as they retain their water well. When a small amount is scooped out onto your fingers. But once on my skin it seems to melt into my skin and really does go very far. It feels very smooth and cool as a cream. It blends in and although takes a few seconds to dry in fully, it does do a good job.

It's odd, I would have preferred it to be far denser- I think it feels too thin, but actually, if it were denser, my skin would have been too clogged and it would not have worked. But I would describe this as what feels like the thinnest cream I know. I am surprised it sets so well- it really does look very dense even when in your hands. It then feels like water once it's on your face. Having read its use for the Greenland Ice peaks, I am quite surprised as it's not the sort of cream you feel forms any sort of barrier- in fact its one of the few creams I know that don't have that really oily residue after you apply, so I cannot see how it would have protected people climbing in ice! But I cannot dispute what is fact, apparently it has been proven to be good for icey conditions...

I think this has grown on me! I do like this cream and wish I could find a similar product with SPF filters in it. I would suggest anyone with any skin issue try this. It has no other qualities other then being a very good light moisturising cream. It can be used day or night and won't get in the way of make up or SPF lotion. I think Kiehl's has just replaced Orgins as my favourite brand!

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I've used this moisturiser for 2 years and don't think I'd ever use anything else. The best things that keep me loyal are: 1) I like the fact that it doesn't contain unnecessary ingredients such as fragrance so is great if you have sensitive skin 2) it contains sunscreen but it isn't too thick and gloopy 3) it contains squalene (whatever that is) so really does sink in immediately. If I forget to apply it in the morning, my face feels tight and dry all day. Definitely buy mail order from Liberty for your free samples or if you live in London there's a Kiehl's shop in Covent Garden. I love Kiehl's! I just wish you could buy it here at US prices.

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This superb product is extremely popular for both men and women and is probably one of Kiehl's best selling products. The light yet effective moisturiser is produced specifically for normal to dry skin types and can be used day and night. The product, which comes in a choice of two generous sized bottles, contains Panthenol, which is derived from vitamin B5 and generates healthy skin cells and penetrate the skin very quickly. The product absorbs into the skin very easily so is great for people that are always on the move as make-up can be applied onto the face moments after applying it. Squalane helps the moisturiser to absorb so fast since it is extremely compatible with the skin. The results leave the surface of the skin soft and conditioned and leave no oily residue. Ultra Facial Moisturiser is also available with sunscreen (SPF 13) or SPF 14, which comes in a tinted version. Men like to use this product after they've shaved since the moisturiser sooths the skin, is light and it isn't perfumed. The packaging is very understated so you know that as a customer you are only paying for the product unlike other companies where the packaging is what sells the product. This product is sold at Liberty but if you can't get there, they have a mail order line that is very convenient. If you do manage to get to Liberty, the girls at Kiehl's give out some lovely samples for you to take home and try so it is definately worth the visit! Kiehl's has been around since 1851and originated from a small pharmacy run by a family in New York that is still around to this very day! All the products contain natural ingredients and are recommended by a top pharmacist before being put on the shelf.